"On the continent, people have good food;
In England people have good table manners."
( George Mikes. How to be an Alien)
Actually in England, if our household is anything to go by, good table manners are hard to come by. One byproduct of the great big vegetable challenge is that we all eat together as a family far more often. You'd think this would stimulate interesting conversation. It does - but it also means we have to watch each other eat.
"So what did you do at school today? Can you please use a knife and fork."
"I thought we could go and see a film. Would you please not lick the plate clean."
"You do it."
"No I don't."
"I saw you."
Its a truce. It is disgusting to lick a plate clean at the table. But I console myself that at least it means someone is enjoying the food. A year ago, I hated seeing the plate full of food at the end of a meal. We've come a long way with plate licking...
Geek and Nerd did warn me that in her household, rocket pizzas are "inhaled" rather than eaten. Joanna told us about a pizza bianca, a white pizza base with parmesan with a drizzle of olive oil and rocket, capers, raisins and a little anchovy scattered on top. These were inhaled.
I can see why they were inhaled, they look sooooooooo scrummy!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey look good, but I am not sure about the raisins!
ReplyDeleteI will confess that if no-one is around, I sometimes dip my finger into sauce left on my plate.
I am SOOO glad you all liked them ... I wasn't sure about the raisins when I first made this, but actually, they're good.
ReplyDeleteI think it's fair to say that if your children are hoovering up this sort of food, then your challenge has been a resounding success. Well done, and thanks for all the inspiration
Joanna
Lord, what I would give for children that licked their plates clean. I'm only half kidding. You should see what passes for polite conversation and table manners in our house. I keep telling myself not to expect formal etiquette from a three year old and a one and a half year old, but civil behavior at the table seems like eons away.
ReplyDeleteWe continue to soldier on though. I felt like the angels were singing the first time I heard my son actually use the word please at the table. That little bit of courtesy only took about ten thousand requests on my part before it sunk it.
I've been enjoying your blog!
S
I think licking your plate should be done in private (I was always the one offering to bring the plates to the kitchen so I could lick mine).
ReplyDeleteI still occasionally lick my plate, but not before checking the curtains are closed so noone can see :o)
Simone
Wow! Charlotte, You really HAVE come a LONG way in a year. That's fantastic.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing my 18 year old said recently ... I didn't teach her table manners, I laughed to myself and thought how true, but hadn't realized it. I was more concerned about the quality of the food we were all eating. I didn't care how they ate it ... fingers, forks... just that they ate their veggies!
Oops! Charlotte, It's Meg ... above comment. Using Tom's computer.
ReplyDeleteMeg
ReplyDeleteI can't help thinking that learning to like food and to respect it and enjoy it might lead on to manners - rather than the othe way round.
Simone - Keep the shutters down and keep licking the plate.
This is one of my favourites pizzas-and rocket my very favourite salad green!
ReplyDeleteGood to see the rocket is going down well Freddie - now, bring on the squash! I've a load of inventions for you.
ReplyDeleteCheers
David
Those look like pine nuts in the lower picture - are those in the mix as well?
ReplyDeleteGo Freddie & Alex!
ReplyDeleteGilab - Yes they are. It works really well.
ReplyDeleteThose pizzas are so cute! They look super yummy!
ReplyDeleteI am sure that in some countries it would be considered good manners to lick your plate clean:D In my "I can eat anything and not have it go to my hips days" I could sop up the leftovers with a crusty bread:D
ReplyDeleteCharlotte,
ReplyDeleteThanks for looking by my blog and your kind comment. I emailed a long reply but it wouldn't send! Just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed reading your blog - especially as Jacob is a very fussy eater which is a real challenge with his diet now. Loved the idea of mince with rhubarb - I'm always trying to "hide" fruit and veg in his meals.
Gina
Gina,
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you and I hope things with Jacob are becoming better.
The Rhubarb and Mince is delicious. Surprisingly so!
Charlotte
Bellini Valli - I remember those days - in the distant distant past...
Jessy - they are. What kind of dog is Winnie?